When a gunman opens fire in the press briefing room, the secret service puts the staff on lockdown until the situation is under control. While on lockdown, Josh interviews Joe Quincy, a lawyer who applied for Ainsley Hayes’ old job, and though the interview goes well, Josh has a nagging feeling that something is off with Joe. Meanwhile, poker night also continues despite the lockdown, but Bartlet keeps getting interrupted after a spy plane is shot down over Russia.

When C.J. is balancing the egg, the clock on the wall reads midnight, but her wrist watch reads 7:20.

Episode References

Josh:(after being asked if he heard gunshots) No, but I thought I heard a brass quintet playing "The First Noel," so I assumed somebody somewhere was locked and loaded.

Josh is referring to a symptom of his PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) in which he associates instrumental music with sirens. This connection comes during the second-season episode "Noel," when Josh talks with Dr. Keyworth about his shooting during the first season finale ("What Kind of Day Has it Been") after Christmas music begins playing in the White House lobby.